Kalaeloa land goes to developer

The Navy has agreed to convey 499 acres, appraised at $75 million, at Kalaeloa to the developer of Ford Island.

The 499 acres at the former Barbers Point Naval Station have remained vacant and undeveloped, the Navy said in a statement, because the area was once a key part of any proposal to base a nuclear aircraft carrier and its accompany air wing on Oahu.

"This arrangement is a positive step for both the Navy and Ford Island Properties, and will result in a win-win for the local community and all parties involved," said Rear Adm. Townsend Alexander, commander of Navy Region Hawaii, in a written statement.

"The agreement follows through on the 1999 Ford Island special legislation and the master development plan that Congress approved in 2003, which allows the Navy to sell or lease properties in Hawaii and use the proceeds to develop Ford Island."

Steve Colon, president of the Hawaii division of Hunt Development Group LP, said, "Kalaeloa offers an opportunity to create needed jobs near the urban center of Kapolei. Ford Island Properties' development experience ensures the site will be developed in a way that will contribute to the vitality of the area."

As part of the agreement, Ford Island Properties will relinquish its leasehold interest in 40 acres on Ford Island and 4.9 acres at Iroquois Point to the Navy, and contribute $16.6 million toward improvements on Ford Island.

Charges follow threats on leaders

A man convicted last year for threatening the life of President Bush is facing new charges that he again threatened Bush's life and the life of Vice President Dick Cheney.

A federal grand jury charged Ronald Saville on Thursday with threatening Bush and Cheney. According to the indictment, Saville made the threats Dec. 23. At the time, he was in the federal detention center in Honolulu serving out the remainder of his sentence for the earlier conviction.

Saville said he would travel to Washington and track down and kill Cheney, the indictment said. He also said Bush must be taken out and that he would do anything to make sure that it happened, according to the indictment.

U.S. District Judge Susan Mollway sentenced Saville last October to 14 months in prison for threatening Bush. He had already been in custody 10 months since his arrest Jan. 19, 2007.

Meth charges for musical artist

Local recording artist Aziel Al Toeaina is scheduled to be arraigned in federal court Tuesday on charges he conspired to distribute, and distributed, methamphetamine.

A federal grand jury returned an indictment against him Thursday.

Toeaina, 29, is charged with selling eight ounces of methamphetamine Dec. 16 for $6,000 and accepting another $9,000 as partial payment for more of the drug.

He has been in custody without the opportunity for bail since his arrest Dec. 19. On that date agents from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration seized $29,960 cash in three unwrapped packages of Hawaiian Host chocolates from a Salt Lake apartment, according to court records. The packages were in a Longs shopping bag beside a camouflage bag that Toeaina admitted was his.

Toeaina has two 1998 state felony drug convictions.

In 2003 he was charged with attempted murder of former University of Hawaii football player Tupu Alualu for firing shots from a handgun in the parking lot of Ala Moana Center. He went to trial twice and was acquitted of all charges.

Ethics panel needs seat filled

Applicants are being sought to fill a vacancy on the Hawaii State Ethics Commission that will occur on June 30.

Members of the commission must be U.S. citizens and Hawaii residents, and not hold other public office. While serving on the Ethics Commission, they may not take an active part in political management or political campaigns.

The commission regulates the ethics of legislators, registered lobbyists and most state employees. It investigates complaints, provides advisory opinions and enforces decisions.

Interested parties must submit an application, resume and three letters of recommendation attesting to their character and integrity, no later than the close of business on Feb. 15, to the Judicial Council, Hawaii Supreme Court, 417 S. King St., 2nd Floor, Honolulu, HI 96813-2902.

Application forms are available on the Judiciary Web site at www.courts.state.hi.us or may be obtained from the Public Affairs Office, Room 206-C, Aliiolani Hale, 417 S. King St., Honolulu, HI 96813, or by calling the Judicial Council at 539-4702.

Police, Fire, Courts

Star-Bulletin staff

HONOLULU

Good Samaritan nails purse thief

The suspect pushed the woman to the ground, causing minor injuries, and then ran away, police said. A witness chased the suspect and held him until officers arrived, police said. The suspect was arrested on suspicion of second-degree robbery.

Officers arrest teen in stolen car

Officers arrested a 17-year-old boy who was seen in a stolen car by the man who owns the car, police said.

At about 3:40 p.m. yesterday, a 29-year-old Kalihi man reported that he saw his car in Salt Lake. He had reported the car as being stolen four days earlier.

Officers found the boy and arrested him on suspicion of auto theft and unauthorized entry into a vehicle.

NEIGHBOR ISLANDS

2 linked to alleged break-in of car

Big Island police charged two men Thursday with theft and drug charges after they allegedly broke into a tourist's car Jan. 11.

Steven Vega, 42, and Ashley Larita, 29, allegedly entered the California visitor's car in North Kohala and took credit cards that were later used at a gas station and two automated teller machines.

Police arrested both men, of no permanent address, Wednesday in South Kohala. Officers searched a car allegedly used in the theft and found 0.2 grams of methamphetamine, two grams of marijuana and a smoking pipe with trace amounts of drugs.

Vega and Larita both were charged with 12 counts of theft, 12 counts of identity theft, two counts of theft of a credit card, possession of confidential information and several drug charges. Both men are being held at the Kona police cellblock. Vega is being held on $27,100 bail; Larita's bail is $26,000.

Big Island man faces abuse charge

Big Island police charged a 29-year-old man yesterday with family abuse in connection with an incident involving an assault rifle.

At 7:55 a.m. Wednesday, officers responded to a report of a domestic argument involving a weapon on Ipuaiwaha Street in the Keaau Ag Lots subdivision.

As officers arrived, they saw a 28-year-old woman trying to leave her home and they also saw the suspect, Van Uemura, with an assault rifle.

Uemura was charged with abuse of a household member and first-degree terroristic threatening and was released after posting $2,000 bail.

LEEWARD OAHU

Lifeguard saves person in water

One person was rescued by an off-duty lifeguard yesterday at Yokohama Bay.

Firefighters were called for assistance at 7:41 p.m.

Before firefighters responded, the lifeguard was able to pull the person out of the water. Paramedics took the individual to the hospital in stable condition, said fire Capt. Terry Seelig.

WEST OAHU

2 people are hurt in Waipahu crash

Two people were seriously injured yesterday in a single-car crash in Waipahu.

Police said the crash occurred at 7:56 p.m. after the vehicle hit a pole on Farrington Highway near Fort Weaver Road.

A 26-year-old woman and a boy about 10 years old were both taken to the Queen's Medical Center in serious condition, said Honolulu Emergency Services spokesman Bryan Cheplic.

Man uses knife to threaten woman

Police arrested a 62-year-old man for allegedly assaulting a woman and threatening her with a knife in Waianae.

At 10:50 Wednesday night the suspect and a 51-year-old woman got into an argument, and the suspect allegedly hit her in the arms and ribs.

The suspect then showed the woman a knife, still in its sheath, police said. As the woman tried to drive away, the suspect hit the woman’s windshield with a flashlight, causing it to crack, police said.